Autism Supports: Understanding AccessOAP and Autism Services at Lansdowne Children's Centre
Finding the right autism supports can feel overwhelming, especially when there are many programs and organizations involved. AccessOAP and Lansdowne Children’s Centre (Lansdowne) Autism Services are both here to support families, but they each have a unique role to play in helping children and youth thrive.
You can think of AccessOAP and Lansdowne Children’s Centre Autism Services as different parts of the same support network. Each plays a unique role in helping families connect with funding, services, programs, and guidance along their autism journey.
Top Tips for Understanding OAP support vs. Lansdowne support:
Getting Started, Registration
Getting started is easy and begins with online registration to each support. Because OAP and Lansdowne are seperate supports operating independently, families will need to register with both organizations.
Register Independently
We encourage families who are comfortable to complete registration independently to to start their journey with AccessOAP registration. Click Here to Open AccessOAP
Why register to AccessOAP first?
AccessOAP is the gateway to Ontario Autism Program services and supports. By registering with AccessOAP first, families can connect with a care coordinator, learn about available funding and service options, and begin accessing provincial autism supports.
Registering with Lansdowne
Your next step is to complete a referral to Lansdowne Children's Centre. Anyone can complete a referral at any time online. Click Here to Open Lansdowne SmartStart Hub
Your intake journey with SmartStart Hub will create a client profile and allow you to connect with Autism Services and other supports provided by Lansdowne. Once registered, you will have access to the Family Support Workers who can assist with questions about services, programs, and your assisting with your journey. You will also be invited to sign up for fee-for-service therapy, which you can access using private funds or your AccessOAP program funds.
Limitations of Lansdowne Involvement with Your AccessOAP Support and Portal, This is Important...
Your AccessOAP account is an important tool for managing your child's Ontario Autism Program journey. Checking it regularly will help you stay informed about available supports, funding updates, service notifications, and next steps. Lansdowne team members do not have access to your AccessOAP account or portal, and cannot assist you with timelines or reminders about your AccessOAP updates.
Lansdowne Children’s Centre does not have access to the AccessOAP Portal and cannot view, verify, modify, or influence application statuses, funding decisions, invitations, eligibility determinations, or other portal information.
Any questions about your AccessOAP experience, communications or support should be directed to https://accessoap.ca/ or your OAP Care Coordinator.
Assisted Registration
If you are in need of assistance to complete AccessOAP regsitration, you can choose to register with Lansdowne Children's Centre first, and after completing the intake process with SmartStart Hub you can connect with a Family Support Worker (FSW) in Lansdowne Children's Centre Autism Services.
An FSW can help to guide you through the AccessOAP registration process. They also offer online learning opportunities for groups of parents to learn more about AccessOAP registration and supports.
Families registered with the Ontario Autism Program (AccessOAP) are not automatically registered for Autism Services at Lansdowne.
AccessOAP is a seperate organization which administers registration, eligibility, funding, and invitations for the Ontario Autism Program.
Lansdowne provides its own Autism Services to registered clients which helps families connect with internal supports.
Client families are responsible for regularly monitoring their AccessOAP portal and managing OAP-related requirements, including funding, eligibility, reconciliations, and service notifications.
Lansdowne cannot access a family’s AccessOAP portal. Team members cannot view, verify, change, or influence application status, funding decisions, invitations, eligibility decisions, or other information in the portal.
About AccessOAP Core Clinical Services and Supports Funding
Core Clinical Services (CSS) funding is Ontario Autism Program funding that can help families to purchase eligible clinical services and supports, such as
ABA therapy
speech-language pathology
occupational therapy
mental health services
Families register through AccessOAP and, when eligible, may be invited to participate in a needs assessment process that helps to determine the level of funding and supports available for their child.
Shared October 2, 2026
CCS funding invitations will now have a 45 day expiry date to accept, however your Determination of Needs Assessment can be booked beyond the 45 days.
If you have missed your invitation deadline, you will need to reach out to AccessOAP directly to have your invitation re-sent.
Lansdowne Children's Centre is not made aware of when (or if) your invitation is sent. Team members do not have access to your AccessOAP information or portal. You will need to check your portal activity regularly to keep aware of new notifications and announcements.
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